QRZ! Ham Radio 5/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 5.iso/digests/infoham/940758.txt

Internet Message Format | 1994-11-13 | 24.4 KB

Date: Thu,  7 Jul 94 09:06:21 PDT
From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup <[e-mail]>
Errors-To: [e-mail]
Reply-To: [e-mail]
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Subject: Info-Hams Digest V94 #758
To: Info-Hams


Info-Hams Digest            Thu,  7 Jul 94       Volume 94 : Issue  758

Today's Topics:
                        Buying in the Far East
              Does CW as a pre-req REALLY work? (2 msgs)
           E-mail addressing (was: temperature conversion)
                      Help with Old-timer needed
                     Humorous Field Day Stories?
                         IC-745 32 memory mod
                             LiTZ Help!!!
           North American VHF Directory - Now available !!
                       Radios for Emergency Use
                      Yaesu FRG-9600 Mods Wanted

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Problems you can't solve otherwise to [e-mail].

Archives of past issues of the Info-Hams Digest are available
(by FTP only) from UCSD.Edu in directory "mailarchives/info-hams".

We trust that readers are intelligent enough to realize that all text
herein consists of personal comments and does not represent the official
policies or positions of any party.  Your mileage may vary.  So there.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 7 Jul 1994 14:46:55 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!noc.near.net!jericho.mc.com!fugu![e-mail]
Subject: Buying in the Far East
To: [e-mail]

In article [e-mail], [e-mail] (Jeff Greenberg) writes:
-->In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] () wrote:
-->
-->> The text was supposed to be, "Are there any bargins left in Tokyo or
-->Singapore  in the way of 2meter or hp transceivers? I may go there next
-->month. Thanks, Tom
-->>
-->
-->Tokyo? Bargains? Surely you're joking Mr. Adams. I was in Tokyo last Sept
-->(when the dollar was hanging at about 102 yen) and found nothing that
-->could not be had for a good bit less in New York.
-->
-->If you're going, check out the Akhibara district, right outside the
-->Akhibara JR station. Even if you don't buy it's a trip. The back alleys
-->are filled with tiny electronics shops and stands -- it sort of looks like

-->Jeff Greenberg              Ford Research Laboratory     Dearborn,MI
-->[e-mail]                Phone: [phone]

Jeff is 100% correct.  I visit Tokyo frequently and wouldnt even consider
buying any gear there that could be bought here in the US.  You could make
a fortune selling $389 Yeasu FT530's in Japan that you bought here.

Quite often, Japanese visitors to my company make a trip to the
local depato stores and buy Japanese goods to bring home!  Another
big hit is buying software (or softwares as foreigners tend to say)
and bring that home.

---
------------------------------------------------------------
Bob Levine  KD1GG 7J1AIS VK2GYN               formerly KA1JFP
[e-mail]   <--Internet email    Phone[phone] x247
[e-mail] <--Packet Mail         FAX[phone]
------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------

Date: 7 Jul 94 13:47:48 GMT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Does CW as a pre-req REALLY work?
To: [e-mail]

This whole discussion about if CW is a good pre-requisite
for HF priviledges is a moot point. The reason the we have the
CW requirements is because of the International Treaty
that says to operate on the HF bands you must be able
to do CW. Its not some scam the FCC came up with to keep
people off the bands. And for goodness sake the test was
not intended to test your operating ability or your
general level of common sense.

Lets all set a goal to have fun out there and to operate
in such a way to keep the bands friendly!! And if you
hear improper operating practice or technique from an
operator you are in QSO with give them some gentle
criticism. Isn't that one of the principles of Amateur
Radio.

Also if you want more people in the hobby...then for
goodness sakes go out and recruit and elmer folks into
the fold!! I didn't have anybody to elmer me in and I would
have been a much better op/ham in the beginning if I
would have had that gentle guidance from the start.

Oh well...my 2 cents.

              cheers - Warren
--
Warren E. Lewis                                 [e-mail]
Technical Support Division                    [phone] x6542
SAS Institute Inc.                                         PP-ASEL
Cary, NC                                      KD4YRN      DOD#0021

------------------------------

Date: 7 Jul 1994 14:20:51 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!prairienet.org![e-mail]
Subject: Does CW as a pre-req REALLY Work?
To: [e-mail]

I don't think that the CW requirement was ever intended to be a ham radio
filter or barrier to entry - at one time it was (and may still be) an
international agreement that amateur radio licensees demonstrate CW
proficiency before being allowed to operate below 30 MHz.  As has been
mentioned, the code test has changed over the years.  When I took the
Extra the FCC still required 1 minute of error free copy which is a tougher
standard than the fill in the blank test.

I always thought if we just wanted an artificial barrier to entry, the FCC
should charge $50 for the license.

In my opinion, our current license structure is much more complicated than
it needs to be.  All we need are three license classes: Tech+ (VHF/UHF, no
code requirement), Novice (Tech+ and 5WPM for limited HF SSB/CW), and
General class with full HF privileges.  I would grand father all General,
Conditional, Advanced, and Extra into the new General class.

Why not give full CW and SSB frequencies to Generals and Advanced?  They
most likely won't be operating on CW anyway.  The digital modes are
expanding, and beginning to squeeze the .025 - .060 general band now.

Once we have vanity callsigns, one of the last advantages of being an Extra
will be gone anyway - the distinctive call.  In fact, if the CW requirement
below 30 MHz goes, I would opt for 2 license classes: Novice and General.

73 de Drew K9CW

--
*-----------------------------*-------------------------------------*
|    Andrew B. White  K9CW    |    internet: [e-mail]    |
|    ABW Associates, Ltd.     |   phone/fax: [phone]           |
*-----------------------------*-------------------------------------*

------------------------------

Date: 7 Jul 94 13:21:59 GMT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: E-mail addressing (was: temperature conversion)
To: [e-mail]

>There is nothing wrong with a nice simple address such as you propose,
>except that the mail systems at Rockwell will never ever be able to get
>it working.

That's 'cause we're a communications company, Brian...8)...like the Cobbler's
Shoeless Children at times...

Heck, i've got one route out that not only needs a gateway format of address
(gateway name[destination on other side]) but about 3-4 lines of message text
to actually include the address and the delimiters for the gateway's parser
since it doesn't pay attention to the sending system's To: field...<sigh>.
Makes for a 30 page users guide that's really inscrutable and obscure...

I try to use what WA9FIZ and I are starting to call the "Energizer Bunny"
connection that just runs and runs and runs compared to the "official"
channels that seem to suffer from software bugs and executive decision making
(to have a .cr or not have a .cr..it's been both ways several times in the
last couple of months...).

bill [e-mail]
and my really short address [e-mail]

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 7 Jul 1994 14:28:53 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!cs.utk.edu!stc06.CTD.ORNL.GOV!fnnews.fnal.gov!gw1!cbnewsm![e-mail]
Subject: Help with Old-timer needed
To: [e-mail]

Bill: I have a working  SX-71 and someplace I have the manual (if it hasn't
crumbled to dust).  It would be interesting to compare notes.  Mine doesn't
need alignment that I know of. This boat anchor is at least 40 yrs old and
is only useful for swl (or AM broadcast).  Send e-mail to:
Shel Darack  WA2UBK   [e-mail]

------------------------------

Date: 7 Jul 1994 14:56:08 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!convex!news.duke.edu!duke.edu![e-mail]
Subject: Humorous Field Day Stories?
To: [e-mail]

A couple of years ago at field day our club president (who shall remain
unnamed) was using the bow-and-arrow method of antenna line placement.
He drew back mightily upon his compound bow, and let loose a beautiful
shot which curved gracefully over the limb  - and then pierced the hood
of another ham's pickup truck.


This year I was working 20M phone and came across a QSO in which one party
was saying, "Yeah, I think there's some kind of contest or something
going on today..."

  -joe

KD4LLV
--

        "When personal freedom's being abused, you have to move to limit it."

                        - U.S. President Bill Clinton, 1994

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 7 Jul 1994 12:42:18 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!news.acns.nwu.edu!news.eecs.nwu.edu!tellab5![e-mail]
Subject: IC-745 32 memory mod
To: [e-mail]

HERE'S HOW YOU CAN DOUBLE YOUR MEMORY ON YOUR IC-745

The following are excerpts from the WILLCO Electronics ICM-1024 NoFail memory
installation manual for the IC-745

BEFORE YOU BEGIN
The following instructions may appear to be simple.  They are, however, quite
difficult to perform.  If your not a qualified technician or if you don't
have the proper tools or soldering
skills, you can damage your radio.  If you don't think you can perform the
task, you should contact a friend that is qualified.

THE  IC-745   32 MEMORY MODIFICATION
The following steps may require the green and white "Components Layout Sheet"
and schematic that came with your Icom IC-745.  You will be soldering wires
directly to component leads, therefore, you will need a high quality
temperature controlled soldering iron.

The IC745 was the first transceiver equipped with the EX-314 memory module
using logic circuitry that is similar to the Icom R71 receiver (the R71 has
32 memories and the
IC745 only has 16).  The 16 memories are selected using a 4 bit binary rotary
switch that's connected to DB0, DB1, DB2, DB3 and Y5.  The 16 switch
positions generate a count from 0 to F hex and is read by the microprocessor
on the logic board.

The R71 receiver selects 32 memories using two 4 bit up/down counter IC's
that are connected to the same data bus (5 bits from the two counters
generate a count from 0 to 1F hex).  On the R71 the fifth bit is connected to
DB4.

The IC-745 32 memory modification requires the installation of a one switch
and one diode.  We recommend that you use the front panel PREAMP switch
because it's close to the Matrix board (If the wires that connect to the
Logic board are too long,  they can radiate digital noise and interfere with
the receiver).   The switch will be used to select a second bank of memories
by addressing the fifth bit (similar to the fifth bit in the R71 counters).
The bank switch instructs the microprocessor to read new locations in the RAM
memory.  You can always add a rear mounted switch to control the pre-amp

PREPARATION
Disconnect the antenna and the AC or DC line power to the radio.  Perform the
work in a static free work space.  You can also protect the radio by
grounding it to a water pipe or a ground rod. If the wiring in your home or
apartment is well grounded, the mounting screw on a duplex outlet is also a
good ground.  Connect a jumper lead to ground with a 100k resistor in series
and while doing the modifications,  connect the other end of the clip lead to
a metal watch band.

Remove the radio's top and bottom covers and place it up-side-down on a your
work table. Remove the ribbon connectors that run from the Logic board (on
the main chasis) to the Matrix board on the radio's front panel.  The ribbon
connectors are very delicate so be carefull when you un-plug them.  Remove
the four front panel mounting screws (they are located on the left and right
side of the chasis.

Disconnect the existing wires that go to the PREAMP switch and reconnect them
to an external or rear mounted toggle switch (the existing wires connect to a
relay that switches the pre-amp in and out).  Because they connect to the
coil of the pre-amp relay, you don't have to worry about the wire length.
The diagram below shows the memory switch connections to the Matrix board
(it's located behind the radios front panel).

THE 32 MEMORY "MOD"
Connect  the cathode end of a 1N914 (or equivalent)  diode to J13 pin 2.
Connect the  anode side of the 1N914 diode to the switch.  Connect the  other
side of the switch to
J12 pin 5 or  W13 on the Matrix board.

Now that the modification is complete you can remount the front panel and
re-connect ribbon connectors.  Mount the top cover.  Make sure that radio is
clear from tools and bare wires.  Connect the radio to a power source and
hook up the antenna.
Turn on the radio.  It should operate normally.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
When you first power the radio, using the pre-amp switch, you can access a
new bank of 16 memories.  But first you will have to store new frequencies.
Press the preamp switch and lock it in the down position.

Place the radio in the VFO mode and store your favorite "Ham" frequencies in
the first memory.   Store other frequencies in other memory locations.  Place
th radio in memory mode and rotate the memory switch.  The frequencies that
you stored should appear.
Press the pre-amp switch and unlock it in the up position.  The old set of
frequencies (that you stored before you made the "mod") should appear.

SCANNING
No matter which bank is selected, when all 32 memories are filled, the radio
will scan all 32. All other functions should operate normally.

"Button up" the radio and enjoy!
---
   Jack Albert  WA9FVP             (Fellow Radio Hacker)
   Tellabs Operations Inc.
   1000 Remington Blvd        Voice  [phone]
   Bolingbrook, IL  60440    FAX    [phone]


            "I'm normal, I'm normal, I'm normal"!
                        From Liquid TV

    ,,,,,,,,,
   :::::::::::
   :: :: :: ::  ::           ::  ::        ::
      :: ::   ,,::,,   ,,,   ::  ::   ,,,, ::,,    ,,,
      :: ::     ::    ::..:  ::  ::  :  :: ::  :  ::..
      ::...     ::..  ::...  ::  ::  `..;: ::..:  ..::
       ````      ```   ````  ``  ``    ``` ````   ```

------------------------------

Date: 6 Jul 94 22:59:29 -0600
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!sdd.hp.com!saimiri.primate.wisc.edu!news.doit.wisc.edu!uwec.edu![e-mail]
Subject: LiTZ Help!!!
To: [e-mail]

Where is a good source of information on LiTZ?
(Long Tone Zero??? is it?)

Actually, ANY info would be much appreciated.

Thanks-
  mike white  [e-mail]
  N9UXC

------------------------------

Date: Wed,  6 Jul 94 20:55:00 -0800
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!agate!iat.holonet.net!megasys![e-mail]
Subject: North American VHF Directory - Now available !!
To: [e-mail]



------------------------------

Date: 7 Jul 94 13:00:03 GMT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Radios for Emergency Use
To: [e-mail]

On Wednesday Eugene Miya said:
(stuff deleted)...The fact is that some organizations who lead trips forbid
: the use of some of this technology.  (Period.)  The problem of "false
: sense of security" is another area not addressed by Hal's text; this has been
: known for decades as the bodies of 9 Russian women who had a radio can attest
: with their last words: "We die now."  So a radio is not a panacea.
: ...

My 16 yo daughter is an avid backcountry person, two years ago when she was 14
she spent a full month hiking around the rockies in Wyoming as part of a
leadership course led by the National Outdoors Leadership School (NOLS), an
organization that has pioneered and developed the low impact backcountry
approach (look at any book on the subject, it will almost certainly be written
by NOLS).  Their group was 15 kids and 3 adults, which broke down to 3 groups (5
kids 14-15 and one adult).  There were two injuries, each requiring an
evacuation, for one, someone hiked out to get help, the other involved a radio
which NOLS considered ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT.  The only reason why we entrusted our
child to the care of NOLS is their long experience and prudent precaution.
Safety first, and no macho risk taking is the way to go with any potentially
life threatening activity which any wilderness experience can be.

As I write this my daughter is on a month long wilderness canoe trip down the
Mulchatna (sp?) River in Alaska with a group from her school. It includes 4
16-18 year olds and two adults, both are EMT's.  Every member had to get
certified in a "First Responder" course, and the group is taking the following
RF gear:  1 VHF marine HT
      two of those satellite emergency locator things that downed aircraft
      have to initiate      a search and rescue operation.
      and a GPS device.

I'm still nervous but feel that these provide some additional security, and
probably wouldn't have let her go if these weren't going to be available.

I guess if some macho fool wants to risk his own neck, that's his business, but
he'd better check to ensure his family would be well covered by his insurance.
If he's going to do it with his family, he's a jackass if he doesn't take simple
precautions to protect them and I would hate to have to look in the mirror if
something did happen that I could have prevented.

--


Stephen P. Baker                                phone:  [phone]
Lecturer in Biostatistics                               [phone] fax
Department of Academic Computing                        [phone] home
University of Massachusetts Medical School    e-mail: [e-mail]
55 Lake Avenue North                                  -.- -.. .---- .--. ..-.
Worcester, MA 01655

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 7 Jul 1994 10:45:22 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!howland.reston.ans.net!newsserver.jvnc.net!raffles.technet.sg!ntuix!ntuvax.ntu.ac.sg![e-mail]
Subject: Yaesu FRG-9600 Mods Wanted
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Harry A. Lane) writes:
> In article <2ut1c3$[e-mail]>
> [e-mail] (Dave Phillips) writes:
>
>> Does anyone have information on HF/Scan Rate mods for the Yaesu FRG-9600 VFH Receiver ?
>> There was a kit some time ago that added HF to this radio, and I would be interested in
>> any information regarding it or any other modifications to this radio.
>>
>> Thanks in advance
>>
>> Dave
>
> Dave,
>    From past expierence w/FRG9600, as far as I know there is no mod for
> scan rate UNFORTUNATELY!  I had one and tried in vain to get the bugger
> to scan faster.  In the process, I nearly mis-aligned the receiver...be
> careful if you have a golden screwdriver.  On the HF mod, I wish I
> found this out 6 months ago...I sold the FRG9600!
>    Good Luck...
> Harry (WB3BYK)
>>
>> --
>>
>> Dave Phillips                            |   "Takeoffs are optional,
>> Phoenix, AZ, USA                         |    Landings are mandatory,
>> [e-mail]         |    Pilot error is not an accident,
>> KB7JS                                    |    All airplanes have personalities."

Hi,

    I dunno but sometime back I posted some mods, computer interface,
control software, cheapo HF kludge etc. etc. for the FRG-9600 and I believe, to
this date, this is the ONLY FRG-9600 mod I have come across in my search.
Someone should have one with them somewhere. Its called FRGSC127.ZIP which is
the latest version.

73,
Daniel

------------------------------

Date: 7 Jul 1994 14:17:32 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!swrinde!news.uh.edu![e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

References <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>, <2vf65f$[e-mail]>
Subject : Re: Show work for full credit (was: Temp. Conversion Chart:

In <2vf65f$[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:

>
>  In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Stan Olochwoszcz N2AYJ) writes:
>  |> In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:
>  |> >>(C - 40) = (5 / 9)*(F - 40)
>  |> >                       ^
>  |> >>
>  |> >There is a typo in the second formula. It should read:
>  |> >
>  |> >        (C - 40) = (5 / 9)*(F + 40)
>  |>
>  |> Forgive my pedantry, kids, but:
>
>  If you would kindly address your attention to the posts that followed
>  this one, you will see the formula was finally corrected to what it was
>  meant to be in the first place:
>
>  (C + 40) = (5/9) * (F + 40)
>
>  You will notice that -40F = -40C, which is the guiding principle in the
>  simplicity of this formula.  You add the same constant to either
>  temperature, multiply the result by 5/9 or 9/5, depending on the
>  conversion, and then subtract the original constant.  PRESTO!!
>
>  (The proof is left as an exercise for the student.)


But if -40F = -40C, then F always = C, and *that* isn't right, either...

------------------------------

Date: 7 Jul 1994 14:51:05 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!newsrelay.iastate.edu!news.iastate.edu![e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

References <[e-mail]>, <2vf65f$[e-mail]>, <2vh2ps$[e-mail]>
Subject : Re: Show work for full credit (was: Temp. Conversion Chart:


In article <2vh2ps$[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Jenkins, David F.) writes:
|>
|> But if -40F = -40C, then F always = C, and *that* isn't right, either...

No...just like 0C = 32F does not mean F always = C + 32.
There is the little matter of the factor of 5/9 (or 9/5...)


------------------------------

Date: (null)
From: (null)
Available only from Tim Marek - NC7K for $9.00 a copy PPD US. Send all
inquiries to: N. American VHF Direstory C/O Tim Marek, 360 prestige ct.
Reno, NV 89506. All check/Money orders should be made out to Tim Marek.

73s and good DXing.

And as usual Im constantly looking for Skeds any Band at Allmost
Anytime! HI       Tim...
========================================================================

------------------------------

Date: 7 Jul 1994 15:53:02 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!netline-fddi.jpl.nasa.gov!sookit![e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

References <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>
Reply-To : [e-mail]
Subject : Re: Buying in the Far East

Sandy Lynch ([e-mail]) wrote:

[deletions]
: As for prices ....... an American friend who works at one of the BIG 3
: Japanese ham manufacturers told me once that with respect to certain
: HF gear in particular, he would personally be able to buy the products
: cheaper by going thru a major US mail order outfit than he could by
: trying to buy the same rig using his employee discount (he works in Japan).
: Apparently, the "published" prices of that particular mail order house
: were what he was using for comparison.
: That was enough to convince me where to shop ..... although I have
: admittedly bought a lot of stuff in Japan.
[more deletions]

i'm no economic wisard, but this sounds suspiciously like dumping ...

regards, richard kd6lwd

[e-mail]
all disclaimers apply

------------------------------

End of Info-Hams Digest V94 #758
******************************